The Shaffer Family History

What Does the Shaffer Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Shaffer is of German origin, deriving from the term ‘schafer,’ which translates to ‘shepherd.’ Additionally, it may denote a steward. There are several spelling variations of Shaffer, including Schafer, Shafer, Schaffer, Schaeffer, and Shaefer. In England, significant populations bearing the Shaffer surname are primarily found in London and Lancashire. In Scotland, this surname is predominantly located in Lanarkshire county. The name is widely prevalent in the northwestern regions of Germany. In the United States, Shaffer is found throughout the country, with the majority of families tracing their roots back to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Notable individuals bearing the Shaffer surname include Orator Shaffer (a professional baseball player), Paul Shaffer (a musician, bandleader, and composer), Chris Shaffer (a songwriter), Nicholas Shaffer (an actor), Matthew Shaffer (an actor in film and television), Leland Shaffer (a professional football player), Anthony Shaffer (an English screenwriter), and Louise Shaffer (a writer and actress).